STAFF from a mental health trust have given their organisation a thumbs-up in the national survey of NHS staff.

Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) provides help for patients with mental health, learning disabilities, eating disorders and substance misuse issues across Stockton and Darlington.

It was rated best mental health and learning disability trust in the country in five of the 28 areas covered and was in the top 20 per cent in a further 14 areas.

TEWV was in the top 20 per cent of trusts recommended by their staff as a place to work or receive treatment. It was also among the best performing Trusts for engaging with its staff.

The trust also received the best score for staff being able to contribute towards improvements at work, overall job satisfaction and staff feeling satisfied with the quality of work and patient care they are able to provide.

Chief executive Martin Barkley said: “We want to be the best employer we can be and to support our staff to provide the best possible care to the people who use our services.

“The results of the survey are extremely positive and demonstrate that what we are doing is making a positive difference to our staff.

“However, it is important that we continue to improve and we now need to look at these results in more detail and use the feedback to continue to make progress.”